Calgary Surge stage late rallies, stun Edmonton Stingers in CEBL opener
The Calgary Surge opened up the 2025 Canadian Elite Basketball League campaign with excitement.
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And a dramatic victory.
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Tied heading into the Elam Ending and then by five late in the end-game scenario, the Surgemade up the stagger and soared past the host and rival Edmonton Stingers in an 86-84 triumph Sunday.
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It was Jameer Nelson Jr.'s layup that was the difference in the CEBL's season-opener for the visiting Surge at Edmonton EXPO Centre.
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One of the team's new members in a lineup full of them raced coast-to-coast for to seal the win in his first-ever CEBL game.
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'I didn't know I was gonna get that open,' Nelson Jr., who was named game MVP, told sideline reporter Sarah Ryan.
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'I got full speed, so there was no reason to stop.'
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Nobody could stop Nelson late, as he finished with a game-high 22 points, highlighted by the final three buckets for the victors, including a three-point make to push them one field goal shy of next-one-wins territory.
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His points came on 7-for-12 shooting, adding five rebounds and four assists.
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Nelson was part of a starting five that proved productive for the visiting side, with veteran Sean-Miller Moore, Greg Brown III — including seven rebounds and four blocks — and Gabe Osabuohien each scoring 14 points in the victory.
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It didn't matter that they were in enemy territory.
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'I thought the crowd was great,' Nelson said. 'I thought that was a lot of adversity for us. And it's a rivalry, so I feel like we're gonna be tested, but that was definitely a tough test to start the season.'
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Indeed, the Battle of Alberta picked up right where it left off last year.
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For the Stingers, their season starts in the same bitter way that the last two campaigns ended after they fell to the Surge in the Western Conference semifinals each time.
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Meanwhile, the retooled Surge still seem to have the upper hand on their provincial rival.
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The Stingers took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter, but the Surge responded with an 11-1 run to tie things up.
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The rivals remained knotted at 77 apiece when the clock was stopped for target-score time.
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The Stingers again raced to an advantage, scoring the next five points. But the Surge battled back once more with a 7-0 run before the Stingers tied the game at 84, setting the stage for Nelson's heroics.
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Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29) scores on the Florida Panthers' goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during first period NHL Stanley Cup playoff action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton Wednesday June 4, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia It's underway. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Finally. After much pomp and ceremony around Rogers Place this week, not to mention the shortest off-season in franchise history followed by what had to feel like the longest journey down the road to redemption, the Edmonton Oilers opened Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final against the same Florida Panthers foe that beat them 2-1 in Game 7 last year. Bad blood? Plenty of it. Love lost? Absolutely none. But will it end in long-awaited destiny for the former dynasty? Only time will tell. After all, one game solves nothing in this best-of-seven, winner-take-all rematch that could just easily go the distance once again. Here are three takeaways from the Oilers' 4-3 overtime win at Rogers Place on Wednesday: 1. 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